Naruto: Promotion is my Ninja Way

Once certain words are spoken, there is absolutely no room for maneuvering or taking them back!

As a prominent leader in Iwagakure, Ōnoki possessed the authority and influence necessary to open trade channels that would allow Iwagakure to conduct unrestricted commerce with the Shihouin clan.

This capability was well within his power and influence!

Moreover, Shihouin Naraku felt absolutely no concern that Ōnoki might attempt to renege on his word, because once promises of this magnitude are made publicly, they cannot simply be withdrawn.

If Naraku successfully healed Kurotsuchi's injured leg and Iwagakure dared to deceive him by failing to honor their agreement, then Naraku would have completely legitimate justification to take direct action. There would be no guarantee of what consequences might follow such betrayal.

"Please rest assured, Lord Naraku!"

Ōnoki assumed that Naraku was questioning whether a retired old man like himself still possessed sufficient power within Iwagakure to guarantee the promises he was making. He quickly provided clarification: "The Shihouin clan can send representatives to Iwagakure immediately, and I guarantee that absolutely no one will interfere with or obstruct their business operations!"

"I don't have any particular concerns about that. Lord Ōnoki's reputation and prestige in Iwagakure is certainly substantial enough that accomplishing such a relatively minor arrangement shouldn't present any difficulties."

A minor arrangement?

This was definitely not a trivial matter by any stretch of the imagination!

Before departing for Konoha, Ōnoki had fully understood that this medical treatment expedition would not proceed smoothly, so he had made comprehensive preparations well in advance.

He had already conducted detailed discussions with the current Fourth Tsuchikage Han regarding the agreement to lift all restrictions and economic suppression targeting the Shihouin clan's business activities, and Han had given his complete approval to the arrangement.

Actually, this development wouldn't necessarily be detrimental to Iwagakure's interests.

Perhaps if the regulation of the medicinal materials market was relaxed and competition increased, Iwagakure's own medical business sector might experience rapid development and growth.

Combined with the substantial prestige and influence that Ōnoki had accumulated during his many years serving as the Third Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, achieving this type of economic policy change wasn't entirely unreasonable or beyond his capabilities.

Negotiating the Treatment

"I have clearly felt the depth of Lord Ōnoki's sincerity regarding this matter. In that case..."

Naraku's eyes lifted slightly, revealing an unmistakably mischievous smile. "Then we should discuss the specific details of how to treat Kurotsuchi's condition."

Upon hearing this encouraging development, Ōnoki's spirits immediately lifted, and he focused his complete attention on Naraku with intense anticipation.

"Kurotsuchi's right leg has been completely severed at the knee. Conventional medical treatments are definitely useless for addressing this type of severe injury," Naraku explained, putting away his playful expression and adopting a serious, professional tone. "The current situation is that I have two distinct treatment options available for you to consider!"

"The first approach involves stimulating Kurotsuchi's cellular structure through advanced medical techniques, accelerating the rate of cell division to achieve the effect of regenerating and restoring growth to the missing right leg.

However, the significant disadvantage of this method is that it would consume an enormous amount of her vital life force, and the total number of cell divisions that the human body can sustain throughout a lifetime is strictly limited.

If we force the division rate to increase dramatically at this point, it will definitely have a severe negative impact on Kurotsuchi's overall lifespan!"

"I can guarantee that this method will produce the desired therapeutic results. However, the serious side effect is that Miss Kurotsuchi's natural lifespan would be drastically shortened. According to my rough calculations, she would only be able to live until approximately thirty years of age before experiencing sudden death from cellular exhaustion!"

If additional vitality supplementation were available, such as the injection of Hashirama cells, such devastating consequences could potentially be avoided. However, given Kurotsuchi's current physical condition and chakra capacity, she would be completely unable to resist the overwhelming power and influence of Hashirama cells.

The moment those cells took effect within her system, Kurotsuchi would very likely transform into a massive tree!

Therefore, the serious consequences of this particular treatment method could only be endured through Kurotsuchi's own natural physical resilience and constitution!

There was simply no alternative approach available!

In other words, Kurotsuchi was still young at present. If she were middle-aged, her legs might not achieve complete recovery before her vital energy was completely exhausted, resulting in premature death.

After learning about these extremely serious side effects, Ōnoki quickly shook his head in firm refusal. "These consequences are far too severe and unacceptable. Kurotsuchi's life cannot be cut short at the age of thirty!"

If she could only live another ten years or so, then what would be the point of treating her leg? She might as well simply enjoy whatever life remained to her.

Ōnoki declared that he wanted to hear about the second treatment option!

Naraku had anticipated well in advance that Ōnoki would never accept this first treatment method, so the rejection came as no surprise whatsoever.

He continued with his explanation: "The second method involves advanced cloning techniques! I would collect cellular samples from Kurotsuchi's body, then help her grow a cloned right leg using those genetic materials.

When the cloned limb reaches full maturity and development, I would surgically transplant it onto Kurotsuchi's body to replace her missing right leg.

Apart from the consumption of some vital energy during the connection and integration process, there would be no other serious long-term consequences."

"Excellent!"

"That's the approach we'll use!"

Ōnoki didn't require any additional time to consider the options. There were only two methods available anyway. The first one had been firmly rejected, so the cloning treatment method represented his only viable choice.

"Lord Naraku, are you absolutely certain that this type of cloning procedure won't create any hidden complications or unexpected problems?"

Ōnoki still felt some lingering concern and looked toward Naraku with obvious anxiety, afraid of hearing additional negative news.

"No, absolutely none at all!" Naraku spread his hands in a reassuring gesture, then shifted the conversation. "The only significant disadvantage is that the procedure is extremely expensive!"

"The cost of cloning that single right leg alone is not something that an ordinary ninja could ever afford. Of course, a former Tsuchikage like yourself shouldn't need to worry about financial limitations."

"Whew..."

Ōnoki released a relieved sigh, wondering what he had been so concerned about.

So it was simply a matter of money - how could that be considered a real disadvantage!

Having served as Tsuchikage for an entire lifetime, Ōnoki couldn't claim expertise in many areas, but he had definitely accumulated substantial wealth over the years.

The Price Reveal

After observing Ōnoki's expression, which had suddenly become relaxed and confident, Naraku's eyes curved upward, and a distinctly mischievous smile appeared on his face.

Then he whispered a specific number, and the moment Ōnoki heard the amount, his scalp began tingling with shock, and his cheeks started twitching involuntarily.

"Why... why is it so astronomically expensive! This is simply outrageous and unreasonable!"

"If Lord Naraku is not attempting to deceive me, then I can only say that there are very few people in the entire ninja world who could afford to pay this amount of money!"

Ōnoki strongly suspected that Naraku was essentially robbing him. No, it wasn't a suspicion - he was definitely being robbed!

But what could he possibly say in protest?

Since only Shihouin Naraku possessed the medical capabilities necessary to save his granddaughter, he had no choice but to accept this financial defeat.

Even though his heart ached with the enormous expense, Ōnoki still gritted his teeth and agreed to the terms. "Very well, no problem! I'll arrange for someone to deliver the money as quickly as possible, and I sincerely hope the treatment can begin immediately!"

"Don't worry about the timeline! As a dedicated medical ninja, curing illness and saving lives is my fundamental duty and responsibility!"

Naraku smiled with obvious satisfaction. Although he personally didn't spend money frivolously, and his strength had been improved through systematic development, the entire Shihouin clan had numerous expenses that required substantial funding.

After all, for an ordinary ninja to reach the advanced level of Jōnin, they needed not only natural talent but also access to enormous amounts of resources and specialized training!

Treatment Preparation

"During this preparation period, have Kurotsuchi continue with her normal rehabilitation exercises and physical therapy."

"When your payment arrives, I will extract the necessary cellular samples from Kurotsuchi's body and begin the cultivation process for growing her replacement limb."

"I apologize, but the cost of various specialized materials and nutrients required to cultivate human limbs is absolutely staggering. I simply don't have the financial resources to cover these expenses on your behalf."

Ōnoki gritted his teeth with determination. "Understood! The funds will be delivered as rapidly as possible!"

The two men separated in front of Konoha Hospital. Naraku departed to handle accumulated administrative affairs, while Ōnoki immediately dispatched a messenger back to the village to arrange the transfer of funds.

Ōnoki understood completely that Naraku would never begin the medical treatment without receiving payment first, so in less than two days, Iwagakure ninja arrived in Konoha with a heavily guarded escort carrying the required funds!

The fact that the term "escort" was necessary clearly demonstrated exactly how substantial this amount of money was!

"We can begin the treatment process immediately!"

Ōnoki gritted his teeth with a mixture of frustration and resignation. Although he had accumulated considerable wealth over his lifetime, most of it consisted of fixed assets such as land holdings, commercial properties, valuable ninjutsu scrolls, and other investments that couldn't be easily liquidated.

Selling these assets would require significant time and effort.

Therefore, this particular sum of money had been borrowed from Iwagakure's treasury by the newly appointed Fourth Tsuchikage Han, and every ryō of this debt would eventually need to be repaid!

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